Trump 'Doesn't Pay Much Attention' to Tech, Telecom Policy, Hitch Radio CEO Says

Hitch Radio CEO Ayinde Alakoye criticized GOP nominee Donald Trump for having an undefined tech and telecom agenda. “While Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton released a comprehensive technology policy platform in June that should excite software developers, Mr. Trump doesn’t pay much attention to our industry’s concerns and is, frankly, on the wrong side of many of the most important issues facing tech today,” Alakoye said in a blog post for TechCrunch dated Sunday. Hitch Radio created an instant messaging app for radio. “Over the course of his candidacy, Mr. Trump has questioned basic data security and privacy principles, called for the boycott of a trusted American innovator and wondered about the virtues of the internet," wrote Alakoye. "If elected president, Mr. Trump’s views on technology could wall off the industry, stifle job and economic growth and cede the United States’ long-held position as the world’s innovation hub.” He questioned the encryption stance of Trump and argued that any “serious candidate running for president must develop an articulate and inclusive policy agenda to ensure the technology industry broadly, and its developers specifically, can continue to innovate, grow and make our world a better place.” Telecom policy observers have been unclear about Trump’s view on telecom issues, relying on limited statements and a handful of tweets on this policy area.